High winds have caused widespread travel disruption and power cuts, with forecasters warning of blizzard conditions to follow.
Snow is expected to fall across northern parts of the UK from Thursday, spreading wider over Friday and Saturday.
Mixed with continuing high winds, it could lead to "blizzard-like conditions" with severe weather warnings in place.
A gust of 93mph was recorded at High Bradfield in South Yorkshire and 82mph at Emley Moor in West Yorkshire, though the Met Office pointed out these were sites at high elevations.
It said a gust of 77mph recorded in Tiree and 77mph at Port Ellen on Islay, both in the Hebrides, were more representative.
Teams of engineers from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have been working to restore power to about 600 properties in the north of Scotland.
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne warned of ''heavy disruptions'' across the network, with some sailings cancelled for the rest of the day.
It is hoped the Forth Road Bridge will be able to reopen to traffic with some restrictions later on Wednesday after motorists faced long delays when the bridge was closed after a lorry blew over at 2am.
The overturned HGV needs to be removed from the bridge in a complex operation before a detailed damage assessment can take place.
Commenting on the incident, Scottish transport minister Humza Yousaf said: ""Once again the engineers and Forth Road Bridge team find themselves in the spotlight, and I am hopeful they will be able to get the bridge reopened to traffic as soon as possible, albeit with restrictions in both directions likely."
Photo credit: Met Office
Forecasters warned the severe weather is likely to continue, with Met Office yellow "be aware" warnings in place for much of the country until Saturday.
Scotland TranServ said it will be working around the clock with 22 spreaders and seven patrol vehicles treating, ploughing and monitoring routes to keep south-west Scotland on the move.
The Energy Networks Association has reminded people they can call 105 - the new, free national phone line - if the weather damages their local power network and affects their electricity supply.
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